Got dinner plans on Monday, May 16? If not, then you may want to consider heading to Uptown Plaza in central Phoenix, where in just four short days the Valley will see the debut of our very own Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.

Since we first told you about the restaurant's plans to expand to Arizona, deep-dish pizza fans have been waiting impatiently for the opening. The central Phoenix pizzeria will be the company's first location outside of the greater Chicago area — and, according to company spokespeople, it may not be the last. The company plans to focus its attention on expanding in the metro Phoenix market, possibly opening additional locations here should the first restaurant do well.

The restaurant is located inside the Uptown Plaza shopping center, located on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Camelback Road.

Lauren Saria

You'll find an additional 19 seats at the restaurant's bar.

Lauren Saria

For the cooler months, Lou Malnati's offers more than 70 seats on its patio.

Lauren Saria

In keeping with Uptown Plaza's midcentury vibe, the 6,800-square-foot restaurant features a sleek, stylish design and offers 220 seats indoors and an additional 73 seats on the well-misted outdoor patio. A 19-seat bar offers 10 beers on tap, including local brews from Wren House Brewing Company and Four Peaks. The food menu, for those who aren't familiar, includes both deep-dish and thin-crust pies, appetizers, pasta, salads, and dessert.

Signature items include Stuffed Spinach Bread ($6.45), a crusty "loaf" (imagine something in between a pasty and a pot pie) stuffed with a gooey mix of spinach, cheese, and onions. Served with a side of the restaurant's rich marinara, it's a hearty start to any meal.

The Stuffed Spinach Bread comes filled with a gooey mix of cheese, spinach, and onions.

Lauren Saria

The Malnati's Chicago Classic comes with cheese, sausage, and tomatoes.

Lauren Saria

As far as pizzas, you'd do well to try the restaurant's deep dish on a first visit, though consider yourself warned: they take about a half hour to come out. The obvious choice is The Malnati Chicago Classic ($14.95 for a small), which comes on the restaurant's well-loved Buttercrust. The crust is crumby on the outside and still doughy inside, and makes an excellent structural support for the heavy filling of stringy melted cheese, sauce, and peppery sausage chunks. The "Lou" is a somewhat lighter option, made on Garlic Buttercrust and featuring spinach, mushrooms, and sliced tomatoes on top.

The "Lou" pizza is a slightly less hearty way to get your deep dish fix.

Lauren Saria

Move over, Oregano's. There's a new pizza cookie in town.

Lauren Saria

Initially, Lou Malnati's in Phoenix will be open for dinner at 4 p.m. daily. The restaurant will expand its hours to include lunch within a few weeks; permanent hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.